Injury dogged Tim Phillips' early career with Essex, particularly the cruciate ligament problem that put paid to his entire 2003 season. He had another two years to wait for another first-team performance, but he finally got one in 2005 (his first since 2002). That same year he was named the Second XI Player of the Year for all counties and gained a two-year contract extension as a result.

Phillips established himself as one of the most useful spinners in limited-overs county cricket, his guile sheltering his left-armers from the assault bowlers often face at Chelmsford. But in the first-class game he struggled to have any impact. Philips' career owed much to close work with John Childs, a fellow left-arm spinner and someone who has helped him develop flight. A Durham University graduate, Phillips was also useful batsman. He retired at the end of 2014 season.
ESPNcricinfo staff